Luggage rack removal?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Luggage rack removal?
I searched but the search on this forum turned up a lot of irrelevant stuff... I was wondering if there is a way to "de-rack" a c3 with a luggage rack. I think they look horrendous but I am having trouble finding a c3 WITHOUT them and in a manual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Good luck, I tried to remove mine and I kept getting telltale marks in the paint where the holes were. I feathered the holes and filled with fiberglass matt and resin but after a few months you could still see where the holes were. I finally reinstalled the rack.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The C3 luggage racks were dealer installed options. They won't be listed in manuals or AIMs. Removing one requires a little body work to cover the holes, then prep and repaint.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
The C3 luggage racks were dealer installed options. They won't be listed in manuals or AIMs. Removing one requires a little body work to cover the holes, then prep and repaint.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by wnmech
If the luggage racks were dealer installed I have my build sheet showing a V55 option luggage rack? Did G.M. in 77 maybe just show it on the build sheet so it would reflect on the window sticker price?
The 68-75 racks (4 or 6 hole, chrome) were dealer installed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Hobart Tasmania
Mine was removed before I bought the car and I'm glad. To me they look hidious. There was no sign of the holes on the surface but a slight depression was seen underneath. I used a product called Fibrofil, may not be available in the States but I'm sure there would be something comparable. It is resin based and has fibreglass fibres in it. Works a treat and have used in on other small body repairs with great results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
If you don't want to do any body work after the luggage rack is removed, just put some rubber plugs in the holes. It's not the best way but it is the cheapest and easyest way. The only other way is to grind out the holes so they look like a "V" and build up with fiberhglass mat cut is circles. Go small, then keep making them a little bigger until the holes are filled. it will take at least 3 layer to do the job. Then sand, prime then repaint. The rubber plugs are way easer.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
The luggage rack looked totally out of place on my 73. I removed it and plugged the holes with black plastic plugs I bought at True Value hardware, it looks good. Will get the holes filled when the car gets painted.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I just finished plugging mine. My '72 will be white with a black stripe down the center. The rack just wouldn't look good with the stripe IMHO. I beveled the edge of the holes to increase the surface area for the resin to bond to, backed up the holes with mat and resin and filled with chopped glass and resin. Still more sanding and filling to go:
Craig
Craig
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood Park Alberta
I'm planning to add a rack. I just got one chromed. It came with the car but was never installed.
I haven't put it on yet but I set it up to see what the car will look like with it.
Without
With
I haven't put it on yet but I set it up to see what the car will look like with it.
Without
With
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
My car is completely stock with no add-ons. The luggage rack came with the car from the dealer so when I had the car painted, I bought new screw inserts and left the holes where they were. The new owner, whoever he or she is, will probably want the rack since the car came that way. Personally, I like it w/o the rack. You can see the crossed flags better on the tank lid.
